[video]

[swordthrowing]

[S'up, Ladygardens. Yumeko is currently inside the Spaceship — somewhere in the kitchen, most likely, from the looks of the background. On top of the counter she is standing behind, a number of sugar skulls are lined up. She glares at them. The names written on them don't bother her, but—]

"Excuse me," I begin, sounding irritated. [No, that isn't a sudden switch to first person prose. She's just...narrating her actions. For some reason.] "But could someone explain to me what the meaning of this is? I don't know how I'm expected to make adequate meals for Lady Shinki when all that's available to me are...these." I gesture toward the skulls. [And she does, fairly aggressively.]

I set my hands on my hips and sigh. [siiigh] "There's hardly any food to be seen, no matter how far out I go. And to make matters worse, after going too far, I wound up like this," I explain, placing a hand to my chest to indicate myself. I mean the fact that I can't seem to stop narrating my actions, of course. "Does anyone know what to do? It's not as though I don't have any food stored up, but I'd rather not be stingy..."

Comments

[notvitiligo]

Good luck.

[swordthrowing]

"Thank you, I suppose. What's your name?"

[notvitiligo]

Oh, sorry. Jessica Boyette.

What about you?

[swordthrowing]

"Yumeko." Not wanting to bow in front of a mirror, I politely incline my head instead.

[notvitiligo]

Oh, um, no bowing necessary. I'm, uh, just a regular person. (Mostly.) And American.

Good to meet you. Just Yumeko?

[swordthrowing]

"I don't know what 'American' means, but as you wish," I agree. I had only done so out of politeness to start, after all. "Yumeko is my only name, if that's what you mean to ask."

[notvitiligo]

Oh, uh, that's where I'm from. America. We... don't do a whole lot of politeness stuff.

OK, just Yumeko. Hope your food problems don't get too extreme.

[swordthrowing]

"I see. Well, I suppose I shouldn't expect otherwise from outsiders," I say, not bothering with politeness now. It's not as though I can properly filter my thoughts at the moment, anyway. [Irritation leaks into the end of that sentence.]

[notvitiligo]

Yeah, pretty much.

We can, um, continue this later, when you're not having to announce what you're trying to cover for. That sounds like it's uncomfortable, to put it lightly.

[swordthrowing]

"I'm not trying to cover for anything," I correct, "But lacking tact is unbecoming of someone in my position. I appreciate the offer."

[notvitiligo]

Yeah, I can see that. Uh, I won't tell if you won't. I mean, I'm all for tact and all, helps people get along, but yeah. Some of the people around here make it not an issue to me.

[swordthrowing]

"I'm in no position to tell you what to do, but that's fine with me. I can't complain, certainly."

[notvitiligo]

Well, you can tell me what to do if you want, technically. [A flash of not-quite-smile.]

[swordthrowing]

"Under normal circumstances, I would probably find that amusing," I say, my face and voice both deadpan.

[notvitiligo]

Well, I didn't say I'd do it... [A flash of smile.]

[swordthrowing]

"Yes, yes." I wave a hand. "I'm just not very much in the mood for humor at the moment."

[notvitiligo]

Sorry. Maybe later, then.